I know that right now you are filled with excitement, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of anxiety about missing the train of the times (FOMO). You have heard about Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, and how Web3 will disrupt the future. You are eager to push open this door and see the world inside for yourself.
Please pause your hand that is ready to register and deposit.
Before you press the "Start" button, we must first complete this most important compulsory course. Because what you are about to step into is not just a new continent full of opportunities, but also an unknown territory that follows the "Dark Forest Rule." Here, the greatest risk is often not the ups and downs of the market, but the traps lurking in the shadows that can leave you with nothing if you are not careful.
This chapter will not teach you how to make money; it will teach you how not to lose money—not due to investment failures, but due to ignorance and negligence. Please remember every word that follows; this will be your strongest safety belt as you enter the world of Web3.
Part One: Mindset Building — This is Not a Casino for Overnight Riches#
Before learning any skills, mindset is fundamental in determining how far you can go. Please discard all unrealistic fantasies and establish the following three core understandings:
1. Accept Roller Coaster-like Volatility#
The volatility of the cryptocurrency market is several times or even dozens of times that of traditional financial markets. It is common to see a 50% increase in one day or to wake up and find your assets have shrunk by 70%. If you cannot accept such extreme volatility or expect a straight line that only goes up, then this market is not for you.
Core Principle: Always invest only what you can afford to lose completely. This money should be spare cash that will not affect your daily life, family expenses, or future plans even if it goes to zero tomorrow. Do not borrow, do not stake your entire fortune, do not use living expenses!
2. Adhere to the Golden Rule of "DYOR"#
In the world of Web3, you will hear a repeatedly mentioned term: DYOR (Do Your Own Research).
This means that anyone's advice can only serve as a reference, including your friends', the "experts" in the community, or even a KOL you greatly admire. Real decisions must be based on your own research and judgment. You need to learn to read project whitepapers, understand their basic operational principles, and check their community activity, rather than blindly following investment trends.
Core Principle: Learn to be responsible for your own wallet. Before every click on "Confirm," ask yourself: "Do I really understand what I am investing in?"
3. This is a Marathon, Not a Sprint#
The Web3 technology and ecosystem are still in an extremely early stage, full of uncertainties. To survive and gain in this space requires continuous learning and long-term patience, rather than a gambler's mentality seeking short-term profits. Keep your vision long-term and focus on learning; you will find rewards more valuable than money.
Part Two: Safety Iron Rules — The Dark Forest Rule of the Web3 World#
If mindset determines your upper limit, then safety rules determine your bottom line. Please follow the following iron rules as naturally as breathing; they will protect your assets from the vast majority of threats.
Iron Rule One: Private Keys and Seed Phrases, Your Absolute Sovereignty#
You will soon create your own "on-chain wallet" and receive a set of "seed phrases" (Seed Phrase) consisting of 12 or 24 words, which can generate all your "private keys" (Private Key).
Remember this bloody lesson: The seed phrase is your life and fortune.
- What are private keys/seed phrases? They are your only and absolute proof of ownership of all assets in your wallet. They are like the master key and highest authority password to your digital safe.
- Whoever holds the seed phrase holds all your assets. They can transfer everything at any time without your consent or any verification.
【Operational Commandments】
- ✓ Must Do:
- Physical Backup: Write it down by hand on paper or metal plates.
- Multiple Copies: At least make 2-3 copies.
- Offline Storage: Store backups in different, absolutely secure physical locations (e.g., a safe at home, a bank vault).
- ✗ Absolutely Prohibited:
- No screenshots or photos.
- No copy-pasting or saving in any computer files or notes.
- No uploading to any cloud drives, emails, or messaging apps.
- Do not tell anyone! Anyone asking for your seed phrase or private key under the guise of "customer service," "project team," or "police" is 100% a scammer!
Iron Rule Two: Zero Trust Principle — Don't Trust, Verify#
In the anonymous world of Web3, you must act like a seasoned agent, remaining skeptical of all information until you personally verify its authenticity.
- Stranger DMs = Scams: Anyone who actively DMs you on Discord, Telegram, or Twitter claiming there are "airdrops," "insider information," or "high-yield mining" opportunities should be considered a scam and blocked immediately.
- Phishing Links Are Everywhere: Scammers create fake websites that look exactly like official ones, luring you to click through communities, emails, or even Google ads.
Operational Habit: Never click on links from unknown sources. Develop the habit of manually entering official URLs or accessing them from verified bookmarks. Before authorizing any operation, double-check the browser address bar to ensure the URL is correct.
- Impostors Are Always More Active Than the Real Ones: When you encounter problems, official customer service will never DM you first, nor will they ask for your seed phrase or request you to click links or download software.
Iron Rule Three: Small Amount Testing — Your Safety Net#
Before making any transfers, especially to a new address, always first conduct a test with a very small amount (e.g., $1).
Operational Process:
- Copy the recipient's address or your new wallet address.
- Initiate a very small transfer.
- Wait patiently until it is confirmed on the blockchain explorer or the recipient's wallet.
- Once you confirm the address is correct, the network is fine, and the process is smooth, then proceed with the larger transfer.
This simple habit can prevent permanent asset loss due to low-level but fatal mistakes, such as copying the wrong address or choosing the wrong transfer network.
Conclusion: Proceed with Awe#
My friend, I know the above content sounds a bit frightening and may even dampen some of your enthusiasm. But please believe me, this "fear" is healthy; it stems from a reverence for unknown risks.
Only when you internalize these mindsets and iron rules as instincts can you truly begin your exploratory journey safely. The world of Web3 is vast and fascinating, and the user sovereignty and decentralization it advocates are worth learning and experiencing for each of us.
Now, you have received the most important map and talisman to enter this new world.
Welcome to Web3. Please fasten your seatbelt; our journey officially begins in the next chapter.